Vadodara / Ahmedabad: Two more suspected Chandipura virus deaths were reported from Panchmahal district in the last 24 hours, prompting the state govt to intensify surveillance and speed up laboratory testing.One of the victims, one-year-old Sachin Rathwa from Godhra taluka, was admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad, while the other, two-year-old Ashish Nayak, was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Vadodara.Health officials said 13 suspected Chandipura virus cases have been reported from Panchmahal in recent days. Two children who died last week had tested positive for the virus.“Earlier, surveillance was limited to 24 villages, but it has now been expanded to the entire taluka. Sand flies were also found in some houses with unplastered walls,” said Dr Surendra Jain, divisional deputy director (health), Vadodara.Two suspected Chandipura cases were also reported from Mahisagar district on Monday.Following the fresh suspected deaths, the state govt has stepped up efforts to identify possible cases and expedite laboratory testing. However, officials maintained that only three deaths have so far been confirmed to have been caused by the virus.After a review meeting chaired by minister of state for health Praful Pansheriya, officials said seven of the 19 samples tested positive for Chandipura virus, while 12 tested negative. Results of eight more samples are awaited. The meeting was attended by the additional chief secretary, health commissioners and other senior officials.“Laboratory testing for accurate diagnosis is progressing rapidly. Seven samples have tested positive and 12 negative. The results of the remaining eight samples are expected by this evening,” Pansheriya told reporters.He added that the health department, in coordination with the Indian Medical Association, has issued guidelines to paediatricians across the state and directed them to remain in close coordination with the department’s headquarters in Gandhinagar.Doctors at private clinics and smaller healthcare centres have also been instructed to provide primary treatment to suspected patients and immediately refer them to hospitals equipped with oxygen and ventilator facilities.Officials said preventive measures have already been implemented at all 61 locations across Gujarat where Chandipura virus cases were reported in 2024.
